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Delta IV Heavy: World's Largest and Most Powerful Operational Rocket Launch!
The largest and most powerful rocket currently in operation launched today from Kennedy Space Center! (www.youtube.com) Más...Sort type: [Top] [Newest]
I worked at KSC from 1968-1979, ground systems. The only launch I got to see was Apollo 17 (we were always on station from CDDT thru launch) They released our crew at 2300 after being on station for almost 18 hrs. I watched the launch from the VAB parking lot. It lit the sky up like daylight and the noise was incredible, an experience I'll never forget.We probably won't have that heavy lift capability again.
We watched the Delta IV launch last Saturday from the Cocoa Beach Causeway about 10 miles from the launch pad. Yes, the flame is very bright, but the roar of the rocket was even more impressive. It took a while for the sound to reach us but then roared until out of sight. I wish i could have watched a Saturn V liftoff. OBTW, we can see the rockets, actually the flame, from central Florida 60 miles away on a clear day.
As one of those old timers I can vouch that we had more than just slide rules ... we had our RCA computer in the Saturn and Mobile Launcher ... all 25k of it.
Do you remember the Bomar Brain? It was the first pocket calculator.
How about a Curta. These are fascinating devices. Inherited it from my Dad who also gave me a slide rule and a few lessons when I was a kid.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Curta
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Curta
Sure beats watching Dancing with the Stars. Beautiful.
"The Delta IV Heavy's total mass at launch is approximately 733,000 kg (1,616,000 lbs.). For comparison the total mass at launch of the Saturn V used in the Apollo program was 2,970,000 kg (6,550,000 lbs.)". Kind of a popcorn fart compared to the Saturn V of the Apollo program. The thrust rating of the Saturn V launch vehicle was 7.5 million lbs. or so! Roughly 3.5 times that of the Delta IV. The launch weight delta is about 4, and the Apollo boys were goin to the moon, not LEO or transfer to orbit. Pretty serious machine for the slide rule dominated 60's. Rockets haven't progressed much more than airliners from the 707 days in more than one respect.